Presentaion software help
Discussion
PowerPoint can do a lot more than most people think, so don't rule it out entirely. Next step up is Apple's Keynote (designed for Steve Jobs himself), but it's still really PowerPoint Plus.
If you want the really funky, you'll need to go to Macromedia Director, where you can integrate morphing shapes, constantly evolving slides and 'stuff' (think fancy shockwave stuff on the web). But of course this isn't really DIY stuff, and you'd do well to get a bureau in. Which isn't a bad idea anyway.
If you want the really funky, you'll need to go to Macromedia Director, where you can integrate morphing shapes, constantly evolving slides and 'stuff' (think fancy shockwave stuff on the web). But of course this isn't really DIY stuff, and you'd do well to get a bureau in. Which isn't a bad idea anyway.
Agree with HiRich above. You'd really be surprised what PowerPoint can do, so try not to dismiss it too early. It's viewed as a simple presentation tool purely because 99.9% of people use it with just text, a couple of clip arts, and a wipe or two.
Of course, the question is exactly what ARE you trying to do?
Depending on exaclty what, then the suggestion above of getting someone in to do it for you is very sensible. Equally, rememebr that because the presentation is to 500 people means that perhaps you would need to make it SIMPLER.....not more complicated and flashy, as the message might be lost, due to the inpersonable nature of presenting to so many.
Good luck though!
Of course, the question is exactly what ARE you trying to do?
Depending on exaclty what, then the suggestion above of getting someone in to do it for you is very sensible. Equally, rememebr that because the presentation is to 500 people means that perhaps you would need to make it SIMPLER.....not more complicated and flashy, as the message might be lost, due to the inpersonable nature of presenting to so many.
Good luck though!
tonyhetherington said:I couldn't agree more (and I earn a living through speaking) - have a look at what Lawrence Lessig does with PowerPoint - http://randomfoo.net/oscon/2002/lessig/
Equally, rememebr that because the presentation is to 500 people means that perhaps you would need to make it SIMPLER
I used to have a full time job creating Powerpoint presentations for audiences of 5 to 5000 delegates.
Work around it's limitations and you will find that your imagination will run out before it's capabilities. Only problem is that it needs work to look slick, whereas keynote is slick out of the box
As other have said, keep it simple - 1 or 2 slides per 10 minutes. The best technical presenter I have seen works with one or 1 blank whiteboads which he can draw on & gets projected onto a large screen. Obviously doens't work if lots of pics etc.
Work around it's limitations and you will find that your imagination will run out before it's capabilities. Only problem is that it needs work to look slick, whereas keynote is slick out of the box
As other have said, keep it simple - 1 or 2 slides per 10 minutes. The best technical presenter I have seen works with one or 1 blank whiteboads which he can draw on & gets projected onto a large screen. Obviously doens't work if lots of pics etc.
It's what I do for a living, and you would be amazed how much a company will pay for a bog standard 'click-&-go' presentation.
Dark background with light text seems to be the preference at the moment and it doesn't blind everyone in a dark room either.
I've been doing this for 14 years, on everything from Interleaf, Persuasion, Powerpoint, Keynote, Quark Xpress (don't ask), Freehand, Freelance, and probably some others that I have forgotten.
I have only recently started using Keynote (about a year), and am finding that while there are some quirks (like a larger initial resolution can sometime mess up the presentation when it is scaled down to fit a smaller screen) - there are so many cool - without being tacky - effects that I keep playing with it for the sake of it.
Three simple rules are:
1) Keep it simple (there's more to go wrong if it's full of sounds, animations, etc)
2) Keep it large (big text with big & simple graphics)
3) Keep it short (use the presentation as a reminder for the audience, don't try to put the whole script in)
Dark background with light text seems to be the preference at the moment and it doesn't blind everyone in a dark room either.
I've been doing this for 14 years, on everything from Interleaf, Persuasion, Powerpoint, Keynote, Quark Xpress (don't ask), Freehand, Freelance, and probably some others that I have forgotten.
I have only recently started using Keynote (about a year), and am finding that while there are some quirks (like a larger initial resolution can sometime mess up the presentation when it is scaled down to fit a smaller screen) - there are so many cool - without being tacky - effects that I keep playing with it for the sake of it.
Three simple rules are:
1) Keep it simple (there's more to go wrong if it's full of sounds, animations, etc)
2) Keep it large (big text with big & simple graphics)
3) Keep it short (use the presentation as a reminder for the audience, don't try to put the whole script in)
Having lectured you on underestimating PowerPoint, it may still be worth looking at the alternatives.
I've just read a review of the new Keynote 2, and it does have a few useful features that PowerPoint doesn't (new issue of MacWorld). Downsides are that you need to use Mac (which may be a pro or con, depending on your viewpoint), and you need a good presentation builder with Keynote experience - I suspect that they are few and far between.
Director can do pretty much whatever you want. It's often used for building screensavers. If you can think it, you can probably do it. You can create more complex animations and handle multimedia better. Downside are that you will need a professional. Also, you need to get it right before you click the compiler button. My experience of conferences is that there's always someone who decides to rewrite their section at 6am - a pain with PowerPoint, but an emergency with Director.
I've just read a review of the new Keynote 2, and it does have a few useful features that PowerPoint doesn't (new issue of MacWorld). Downsides are that you need to use Mac (which may be a pro or con, depending on your viewpoint), and you need a good presentation builder with Keynote experience - I suspect that they are few and far between.
Director can do pretty much whatever you want. It's often used for building screensavers. If you can think it, you can probably do it. You can create more complex animations and handle multimedia better. Downside are that you will need a professional. Also, you need to get it right before you click the compiler button. My experience of conferences is that there's always someone who decides to rewrite their section at 6am - a pain with PowerPoint, but an emergency with Director.
polar_ben said:
...have a look at what Lawrence Lessig does with PowerPoint - http://randomfoo.net/oscon/2002/lessig/
Good stuff, enjoyed that very much!
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